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g�i � � REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Department Approval Item Description: 2010 Employee Conference Attendance BACKGROUND Date: March 29, 2010 Item No.: 7.e City Manager Approval Attendance at professional conferences offers an affordable way for employees to stay abreast of the latest trends, technologies and legislative or administrative changes. Staff learn new skills and receive training. They often bring new ideas that can bring greater efficiencies and effectiveness. Staff have an opportunity to network and build collaboration with colleagues and among other government entities. These collaborations have led to several joint powers agreements and other working relationships that make staff better workers. From an organizational perspective, I strongly support the continuous learning of all employees, and endorse the attendance of our organizational leaders at educational conferences and trainings. subscribe to the theories that when people have opportunities for development, that their job satisfaction increases, they are more productive and produce higher quality work, and the organization continues to improve rather than stagnate. At its December 21 City Council meeting, the Council placed some restrictions on out-of-town conference attendance in 2010, requiring Council approval for any travel, lodging or meal costs for conferences paid for by the City, unless options for mandatory conferences are not available locally. At the March 8th City Council meeting, this matter was continued to allow for the City Manager to address whether he'd already screened the listing, and whether the budget was adequate. In response to those questions, the listing for your consideration is the overall listing of conferences that could be attended, for which a budget exists. Staff does not always attend conferences that are budgeted (I did not attend the ICMA conference last year, though it was budgeted), and makes determinations when the time is appropriate. Your approval will allow me to manage their attendance as necessary. POLICY �BJECTIVE Review staff attendance at outstate and out-of-state conferences. FINANCIAL IMPACTS The costs of conferences are approximate numbers. Page 1 of 2